Discover how God’s plan changed this German man’s life. A new country, a new career results in bringing hope to Indigenous street kids

Moved by this story? Think it could touch the lives of others? Click below to share

Note: Vimeo caption/subtitles are currently not available on some mobile/tablet devices.

Never in his wildest dreams did this man ever think that God would take him to another country to prosper and bring hope to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander homeless children.

As an 11 year old boy in Germany, he remembers seeing a video about Australia and longed to move there. At the age of 19, his dream came true. He moved to New South Wales and studied to be a doctor of chiropractic medicine. He married and set up his practice in Cooma and later moved to Cairns in Far North Queensland with his wife and sons.

One evening whilst the family were going for a walk along the esplanade, they discovered young Indigenous boys prostituting themselves with old white men, so they could afford to buy food.

Shocked and upset, they abandoned their walk and went home and they prayed for wisdom about how he could stop this injustice. His son suggested they should cook meals for the children.

That weekend, his family got together to try out the plan. Soon, the church joined in preparing meals and the ministry grew from giving out food from the boot of his car, to having three food vans to do this great work.

In his ministry, he met and worked with street kids who grew up to become doctors and lawyers.

He shares the story of one sixteen year old who was no longer accepted by the foster system and various agencies asked the doctor if he could help him out. The teen arrived with quite an attitude, but during his stay the Lord worked on him and became quiet like a lamb. The young man has attended TAFE and is now doing an apprenticeship to become a Jackaroo.

That got him thinking of how much more they could achieve, if the street kids were able to be shown love, encouragement and a safe place to study and stay.

The doctor felt the calling to retire from his practice, and open Harald’s House a home for disadvantaged children who are living on the streets, or at risk of becoming homeless. A place where volunteers can support and help the residents grow in themselves and in their faith.

“They are hungry for the Word of God” he says. They often ask the volunteers about their faith. Just in the last year, they have had eight baptisms among the residents.

He’s very grateful for the privilege of being able to work with children, and seem them come to God. “I don’t know why people need drugs,” he said. “I get so high, and I’m on Cloud 7 for days after a kid becomes a Christian. It’s just a wonderful thing to be allowed to do.”

Suggested reading:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you.” – Leviticus 25:35-36 NKJV